Choosing a regional
11-20-2015, 07:04 AM
#11
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Position: EMB '75
Posts: 19
I think people aren't really understanding your question, based on their answers. I think your question is, "Hypothetically, let's say I get hired by Skywest and I chose to commute out of DHN, which is only serviced by express jet, how will I know if they will let me commute on their flights? Is there a website that will tell me that?" Am I correct?
The answer to that question is: Kind of. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has a webpage that lists every airline that participates in a program called CASS. CASS is what allows pilots to commute on airlines they do not work for. So, as long as the airline you work for and the airline you want to commute on are a part of CASS, you are good to go! The website is here:
CASS Airlines
I suppose there is some obscure airline in the U.S. that is not a member of CASS, but for the most part, all popular airlines participate in CASS. It is a great program.
I'll throw my 2 cents in about commuting along with everyone else. There are a lot of variables with commuting, how many flights a day does your airport offer? what times are the flights? How full are the flights? How many other pilots commute out of the same airport? How many legs is your commute? How long is your commute? How flexible is your home life? How often do the flights get cancelled when the weather is bad?
Obviously, if you are single with no kids, and you only have a 1 leg 45 minute commute out of an airport with 15 flights scattered through the day that are only 60% full and has really early and late flights than never get cancelled, then you are going to have an easy commute! Unfortunately, I highly doubt there is an airport like that. To put it isimply, commuting adds a lot of stress to your job/family and takes up time. Living in base is the way to go. I'd suggest applying to a regional that has a base where you want to live, and then moving closer to that base. The reserve call out times differ for each airline, but you could prob move as far as a 1-2 hour drive from your base and still make it in on time when they call you.
The answer to that question is: Kind of. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has a webpage that lists every airline that participates in a program called CASS. CASS is what allows pilots to commute on airlines they do not work for. So, as long as the airline you work for and the airline you want to commute on are a part of CASS, you are good to go! The website is here:
CASS Airlines
I suppose there is some obscure airline in the U.S. that is not a member of CASS, but for the most part, all popular airlines participate in CASS. It is a great program.
I'll throw my 2 cents in about commuting along with everyone else. There are a lot of variables with commuting, how many flights a day does your airport offer? what times are the flights? How full are the flights? How many other pilots commute out of the same airport? How many legs is your commute? How long is your commute? How flexible is your home life? How often do the flights get cancelled when the weather is bad?
Obviously, if you are single with no kids, and you only have a 1 leg 45 minute commute out of an airport with 15 flights scattered through the day that are only 60% full and has really early and late flights than never get cancelled, then you are going to have an easy commute! Unfortunately, I highly doubt there is an airport like that. To put it isimply, commuting adds a lot of stress to your job/family and takes up time. Living in base is the way to go. I'd suggest applying to a regional that has a base where you want to live, and then moving closer to that base. The reserve call out times differ for each airline, but you could prob move as far as a 1-2 hour drive from your base and still make it in on time when they call you.
11-20-2015, 07:39 AM
#14
Living the Dream
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,795
I fervently oppose your assertion that mainline pilots should enjoy preference on a regional carrier's metal over the pilots employed by said regional. The affronts committed against these C-scale pilots over the years are too numerous to document herein, but your suggestion would only add another bullet point to a shamefully long list. In summation your proclamation denotes an alarming lack of empathy for the oppressed regional proletariat and it is my sincere belief that your opinion is unsound.
11-20-2015, 07:54 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 558
Since most regionals sell ALL their seats to a particular legacy or are wholly owned by a legacy, I think the same legacy pilots should have jumpseat priority over the regional pilots of whose airline is operating the flight.
The legacy bought ALL the seats on a regional. Therefore, ALL the seats should go to the legacy including the jumpseat. Mainline bought it, mainline owns it.
The legacy bought ALL the seats on a regional. Therefore, ALL the seats should go to the legacy including the jumpseat. Mainline bought it, mainline owns it.
11-20-2015, 07:58 AM
#16
Banned
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Posts: 155
I fervently oppose your assertion that mainline pilots should enjoy preference on a regional carrier's metal over the pilots employed by said regional. The affronts committed against these C-scale pilots over the years are too numerous to document herein, but your suggestion would only add another bullet point to a shamefully long list. In summation your proclamation denotes an alarming lack of empathy for the oppressed regional proletariat and it is my sincere belief that your opinion is unsound.
Since ALPA is a mainline controlled entity, ALPA National should be more vocal in demanding that regionals yield their jumpseats to wanting mainline pilots.
I'm so sick and tired of just having coasted in from a crossing and trying to get home and walking up to the gate on the only flight home that is an oversold RJ and finding out that the j/s is occupied by some newhire regional "punk" (stereotypical spikey, backpack toting unprofessional appearance) When asked if he would yield the j/s to a senior mainline pilot, you get the "sorry dude, no can do". Yet this "dude" will be sucking up to the next mainliner when he's on a mainline j/s, hoping to get a rec. Sorry dude, no can do. It works both ways.... Think about it. Is it better to get home a few hours earlier than to p/o a potentially influential mainliner, who could have a negative impact on your entire future?
11-20-2015, 08:04 AM
#17
On Reserve
Joined APC: May 2015
Posts: 23
Wow those retirements couldn't come soon enough. You are exactly the reason this industry is awful. Selling scope, then b*tching at what you helped create and taking it out on guys/gals that make less than a fraction of what you do and had no choice in the matter.
Want to get home earlier? Buy a ticket, j/s mainline, or stop commuting.
Want to get home earlier? Buy a ticket, j/s mainline, or stop commuting.
11-20-2015, 08:07 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,450
Since mainline purchases ALL the seats on your RJ, mainline basically "chartered" your flight and should control who rides on it, including the jumpseat. Mainline should take care of it's own first.
Since ALPA is a mainline controlled entity, ALPA National should be more vocal in demanding that regionals yield their jumpseats to wanting mainline pilots.
I'm so sick and tired of just having coasted in from a crossing and trying to get home and walking up to the gate on the only flight home that is an oversold RJ and finding out that the j/s is occupied by some newhire regional "punk" (stereotypical spikey, backpack toting unprofessional appearance) When asked if he would yield the j/s to a senior mainline pilot, you get the "sorry dude, no can do". Yet this "dude" will be sucking up to the next mainliner when he's on a mainline j/s, hoping to get a rec. Sorry dude, no can do. It works both ways.... Think about it. Is it better to get home a few hours earlier than to p/o a potentially influential mainliner, who could have a negative impact on your entire future?
Since ALPA is a mainline controlled entity, ALPA National should be more vocal in demanding that regionals yield their jumpseats to wanting mainline pilots.
I'm so sick and tired of just having coasted in from a crossing and trying to get home and walking up to the gate on the only flight home that is an oversold RJ and finding out that the j/s is occupied by some newhire regional "punk" (stereotypical spikey, backpack toting unprofessional appearance) When asked if he would yield the j/s to a senior mainline pilot, you get the "sorry dude, no can do". Yet this "dude" will be sucking up to the next mainliner when he's on a mainline j/s, hoping to get a rec. Sorry dude, no can do. It works both ways.... Think about it. Is it better to get home a few hours earlier than to p/o a potentially influential mainliner, who could have a negative impact on your entire future?
11-20-2015, 08:14 AM
#19
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Posts: 3
Since mainline purchases ALL the seats on your RJ, mainline basically "chartered" your flight and should control who rides on it, including the jumpseat. Mainline should take care of it's own first.
Since ALPA is a mainline controlled entity, ALPA National should be more vocal in demanding that regionals yield their jumpseats to wanting mainline pilots.
I'm so sick and tired of just having coasted in from a crossing and trying to get home and walking up to the gate on the only flight home that is an oversold RJ and finding out that the j/s is occupied by some newhire regional "punk" (stereotypical spikey, backpack toting unprofessional appearance) When asked if he would yield the j/s to a senior mainline pilot, you get the "sorry dude, no can do". Yet this "dude" will be sucking up to the next mainliner when he's on a mainline j/s, hoping to get a rec. Sorry dude, no can do. It works both ways.... Think about it. Is it better to get home a few hours earlier than to p/o a potentially influential mainliner, who could have a negative impact on your entire future?
Since ALPA is a mainline controlled entity, ALPA National should be more vocal in demanding that regionals yield their jumpseats to wanting mainline pilots.
I'm so sick and tired of just having coasted in from a crossing and trying to get home and walking up to the gate on the only flight home that is an oversold RJ and finding out that the j/s is occupied by some newhire regional "punk" (stereotypical spikey, backpack toting unprofessional appearance) When asked if he would yield the j/s to a senior mainline pilot, you get the "sorry dude, no can do". Yet this "dude" will be sucking up to the next mainliner when he's on a mainline j/s, hoping to get a rec. Sorry dude, no can do. It works both ways.... Think about it. Is it better to get home a few hours earlier than to p/o a potentially influential mainliner, who could have a negative impact on your entire future?
Oh poor you... making probably 5X what that guy is making and your complaining about having to sit at the airport a little longer... I agree about unprofessional appearance. But seriously... stop crying you make more money...
11-20-2015, 08:35 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2011
Position: CA
Posts: 1,039
My mind is sound. In fact, the vast majority of mainliners agree with me, whether they will admit to it publicly or not.
Like it or not, there is and always has been a hierarchy amongst airline pilots, with mainline pilots at the top. You might not like it during your short stint at the regionals, but when you have a much longer career at mainline, being continually sh#t on by regional pilots will get you irritated in short order. It's human nature to looks for ways to retaliate against those who sh#t on you and if keeping you at a regional by blackballing you at my mainline, then so be it.
Like it or not, there is and always has been a hierarchy amongst airline pilots, with mainline pilots at the top. You might not like it during your short stint at the regionals, but when you have a much longer career at mainline, being continually sh#t on by regional pilots will get you irritated in short order. It's human nature to looks for ways to retaliate against those who sh#t on you and if keeping you at a regional by blackballing you at my mainline, then so be it.
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